Electrical power-transmission device



'F'eb. 19 1924.

1,484,479 A. E. DOMAN ELECTRICAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE I Filed Aug. l3 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet l L I y d6 g-VETOR r I.

Feb. 19 1924.

A. E. DOMAN ELECTRICAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE Filed Aug. 13 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 i I I v 4 ATTORIVEQI Feb. 19 1924. 1,484,479

A. E. DOMAN ELECTRICAL POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICE Filed Aug. 13 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 mm" on Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT E. DOMAN, or ELBRIDGE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR 'ro OWEN-DYNETO eoEroEA- TION, 0F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK,

ELECTRICAL POWER-TRANSMISSION DEVICE.

Application filed August 13, 1918. Serial No. 249,893.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. DOMAN, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Elbridge, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Electrical Power-Transmission Devices, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full,- clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in electrical power transmission devices, and is particularly adapted for electrically effectii'ig and controlling the trans mission of power from a prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine for automobiles, to a driven part, as the rear axle of the automobile, as a substitute for the gear transmission device found at present in such machines.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an electrical power transmitter so constructed that when used with a power producer or prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine, whose maximum torque is limited, it will deliver power to a driven part, such as the axle of a vehicle, at a slower speed but with increased torque, the torque varying inversely with the speed.

Another object relates to improved means of regulation accomplishing a smooth starting of the motor and a gradual change from one degree of torque to another in the transmission of power, thereby avoiding limiting the control to a specific number of steps which when employed produces a jolting effect as the connections are changed from one step to. another.

Other objects relate to the mechanical features of the device whereby a simple, efficient, rigid, easily assembled, compact apparatus is produced for accomplishing the primary objects of the invention and with out involving the use of collector rings, revolving brushes, and the like.

Further objects and advantages will ap pear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is a side elevation of an automobile having a portion broken away to disclose an installation of the electrical transmission of this invention. v

F lgure 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the main body of the transmission.

Figure 4 is an end view of the same, partially broken away to disclose portions of the commutators and the armature and field of the apparatus.

Figures 5 to 11 are diagrammatic views illustrative of circuits hereinafter described.

The specific installation shown comprises a prime mover, such as the internal combustion engine -1-, a transmission 2-, a drive shaft -3 having a suitable connec tion through a differential mechanism with the rear axle of the automobile 4-; a controller 5- adapted to be operated by a lever 6 through the medium of an operating link -7 in any suitable and wellknown manner not herein necessary to further illustrate or describe.

The transmission 2 with which this invention is specifically concerned comprises a cylindrical case 8- having circumferential radial flanges 9 and .10-

at its ends, with which cap plates 11- and 1.2--, respectively, contact, said plates being provided with circular axially extending flanges 13 and 14-, respectively, interlocked with the inner surface of the opposite ends of the cylindrical case 8-, and the flanges and the cap plates may preferably be removably secured togetherin any suit able manner, as by bolts not shown, or may, if desired, be permanently secured together by spot-welding, riveting, or the like.

The cap plates -11- and 12 are provided with aligned axially-extending circular flanges 15 and 16-, respectively, the flanges -15- being of suflicientdiameter to receive a suitable ball bearing 17 confined between a radial flange -l8 upon the axial flange -15- and a cap late 19 having an axial flange 20 tted within the flange -15- and extending into substantial contact with the ball bearing -17- to hold the outer ring of the same in contact with the flange 18, and the cap 19 and flange 15 may be secured to gether in any suitable manner, as by screws, bolts, or the like, not necessary to further illustrate or describe.

A suitable shaft 2l is j ournaled in the bearing -17 and carries a radially projecting and axially-extending spider -2Q which spider, in turn, carries a shell 23 rigidly secured thereto in any suitable man ner, as by bolts 24t.

The shell 23- is formed with a cylindrical portion 25 having a radially and outwardly extending flange -26 and radially and inwardly extending flanged end portions 27 and 28 terminating in inwardly projecting axial circular flanges -29 and 3O the flanges -Q9 and 80- being provided with substantially circular radial flanges 31- and -3 respectively.

The flange 29- is mounted upon a ballbearing S3, the outer ring of which is confined between the flange 31- and an axial flange 3 lformed upon the spider -22. The ball-bearin g -33 is, in turn, carried by a driven shaft 35 and its inner ring is confined between a sleeve 36- upon the shaft and a nut 37- adjustably engaged with the end of the shaft.

The flange 30, in like manner, is mounted upon a ball-bearing the outer ring of which is confined between the flange 82 and a portion as the axial flange 39, of a cap 40- secured to the shell 23 in any suitable manner, as by bolts -4c1, and having a central opening for the passage of the shaft The ball-bearing 38- likewise mounted on the shaft 35 and its inner ring is confined between a flange -'?l-2-' on said shaft and the sleeve 36 The cap l0 is spaced from the base flange of an enlarged frusto-conical portion -l 3- formed upon the shaft 35- in any suitable manner, as by a ring l-l, or thrust washer.

The shell -23 carries an annular plate at5 secured thereto in any suit: ble man ner as by bolts -l6, which plate in turn, carries a com nutator -4 T of the fa -eplate type. The cylindrical portion -25 of the shell 23- is adapted to receive and carry a field l8- comprising a magnetizable cylindrical body 49 of any suitable or desirable material having a series of longitudinally extending grooves -50- for the reception of suitable winding 51- and the magnetizable body 49 is adapted to abut. against the flange 26 and is confined in this position by a locking ring 52 suitably engaged with the periphery of the shell -23-.

The parts so far described constitute a rotatably-supported field magnet system telescoped within the enlarged cylindrical portion of a funnel-shape frame provided with an elongated bearing 55- mounted on the shaft and formed with a tapered portion 5fi for en ement with the frusto-conical portion et -%3 of the shaft 3o-. such en gement being rendered tight and suitabl rigid through the medium of a nut hav ing a threaded relation with the shaft 35" and abutting against the end of the bearing 55.

The frame 54. may be locked to the shaft 35 for sin'iultaneous rotation in any suitable manner, as by a suitable key and keyway -58-. The cylindrical portion concentric with the cylindrical portion -25 of the shell -23-, in turn carries a cylindrical magnetizable body 59- having a series of longitudinally extending grooves -60- in its inner surface adapted to carry winding -t31, the entire assemblage constituting an aru'iaturc 59 so wound as to have a number of poles suitable for use with the field magnet system 48.

This armature is likewise provided with a suitable commutator -62- of the faceplate type carried by a plate 63 secured in any suitable manner to the cylindrical portion 53-, and preferably having its edge in contact with the cylindrical magnetizable core -59 and adapted to hold the core 59 against a radial flange 64. extending inwardly from the cylindrical portion of the frame 54.

The frame is further provided with an axially extending circular flange forming a drum 65 of substantially the same diameter as the shell 23 and formed in like manner as the shell 23- with a radial circular flange 66 against which the cylindrical core 67 of an armature -68 is adapted to abut, the core being held in that position by a locking ring 69 having suitable engagement with the drum 65 The core 67 is provided with a series of longitudinally extending grooves 7tlfor the reception of suitable winding -71-. The drum -65 is provided with a radially and inwardly extending flange -T"2- adapted to carry an annular plate -'T3- rigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by bolts 74, the plate, in turn, carrying a commutator -75- of the faceplate type.

A suitable field magnet system -76- for the armature 68 is rigidly secured to the cylindrical casing 8- in any suitable manner, not necessary to further illustrate or des ribe, and is electrically connected to suitable binding posts -7T- carried by the cap 12-.

The flange 16- on the cap plate 12 is mounted on a ball-bearing -78-, the outer ring of which is confined between a radial flange -79 on the flange -16 and an angular locking ring -30- secured to the cap plate -12- in any suitable manner, as by bolts 81.

The ball-bearing 'T8- is. in turn, mounted on the shaft and its inner ring is confined between a shoulder 82 ltltl formed on the shaft and a suitable internal external gear member 83 secured to the shaft in'any suitable manner so as to rotate therewith.

The cap plate 12- is further provided with a longitudinally projecting flange 84-- having a radial flange -85- with which the edge "portion of a suitable closure ---86 is adapted to contact, the closure being provided with an axially extending flange (-87-- in contact with the inner surface of the flange '84--, the parts being preferably "removably secured together in any suitable manner and forming a gear casing -88- somewhat eccentric to the case .g

The endof the shaft-35- adjacent the gear casing -8$ is preferably counterbored for the reception of a sleeve -89, within which is mounted the reduced end portion 90- of a driven shaft 91having angular portion 92 upon which a combined gear and clutch member 93- is slidably mounted. The other end of the shaft -91 is'mounted in a ball-bearing '94- carried by a flange 95 formed on the closure --86 and axially aligned with the flanges 1 5 and -16-, heretofore described. The ball-bearing 94 may be confined between a flange -96 upon the closure and a locking member --97 suitably engaged with the flange 95-.

Within'the casing-'88 and having its ends respectively mounted in the cap plate 'I'2- and closure -*86--, is a shaft '98 carrying a double gear -99 through the medium of ball bearings 100.

One of the gear members, as 101-, is

adapted tomesh 'atall times with the external gear of the gear member 83, while the other gear 1()2- is adapted to mesh with. an idler l03-which may be supported in any suitable manner, which idler, in turn, is adapted to mesh with the gear -93 when the same has been moved to proper position along the shaft 91. The gear --943 is provided with a clutch member -104 adapted to be normally interlocked with the internal gear of gear member -83 to cause simultaneous rotation ofshaft -35 and shaft 91-,-and this-condition ismaintained through the medium of anarm 105 rigidly carried by a bar --ll l6-- and having'a suitable engmgement with a circular channel in the gear -93--, the bar -106- being normally spring-pressed tomovc the member -'105 into lockingengagement with the internal gear of gear member 83.

Electrical means, such as the electromagnet or solenoid l07- is provided for moving the shaft -106 longitudinally as desired to release the locking engagement described and to {bring the gear- 93-finto mesh with "the idler --"1i)3- on reverse the direction of rotation of the driven shaft '91. The magnet or solenoid -l07 may be of any suitable or known construction and, as shown, is supported within a cup-shape casing --108 secured in any suitable manner to the closure 86-.

Suitable brushes 109 and -110 are provided in connection with the commutator -6Q- and said brushes are movable, as best shown in Figures 3 and t, through sleeves 111 extending through the cap plate 11, and are spring-pressed into contact with the commutator, and in combination with the brushes '-109- and -110 is provided an adjustable third brush 112-, in like manner spring-actuated and movable through an opening in the cap plate -11-, but carried by a bracket 113 movable relatively to the cap plate 11 to vary the position of the brush -112- relatively to the commutator for regulating purposes, as hereinafter described.

This adjustment of the third brush -1ll2 may be accomplished; in any suitable manner, and, as shown, the bracket -1-13- is operated by a rock arm '114- throughthe mediumof a link -115- pivotally connected to the bracket ll3, said rock arm being nor-mall held at the limit of movement in one (irect-ion by a spring --1l6 which may, as shown, be engaged with the rock arm and with the cap plate -11, a suitable cam -11 7 orother suitable means being provided for rocking the arm 114-- against the tension of spring -116- to adjustthe brush as desired. The cam -117- maybe operated inany suitable manner'and through any suitable connections, either independently of or 'conjointly with the controller,determiningthe electric circuits hereinafter described, and is usually directly actuated through a lever which may be mounted on the steering Wheel of the vehicle in a manner similar to the spark and gas controls.

'Suitablebrushes. as -l18 and -119', are also provided'forthe commutator -47- and are supported and spring-pressed into engagement with the commutator in like manner, "as heretofore described in connection with the brushes 109- and 110.

The commutator is likewise provided with suitable brushes, identified in Figures 5 to 11, inclusive, as -l26- and -1 27-, but operating through the cap plate 1E2 in like manner as shown and described in connection with brushes 109-- and 1l0-., and preferably there is provided in connection with the commutator 75- a third brush for accomplishing the regulation of current generated to charge the battery as hereinafterdescribed, and as illustrated in Figures 5 toll.

, The shaft :.21 has secured .theret'o ,for simultaneous rotation an angular union -120- by means of which the driving shalt may be connected to the shaft -21 :tor

simultz neous rotation and the inner ring of ball bearing l'T may be confined between the union 1:20 and flange 12tl' formed 01 shat't 21 The tie the poles do not revolve in a mechanical sense bi t I i. 1 their position due to the action ot commutator -l and brushes -llh and ll I i ther words, as the field magnet s tem iS- revolves and the current flows .nrougl itby way of brushes 1e brushes being fixed,

i 1l8- and --.JS). ll the magnetic pole oi to field also remains fixed, and inasmuch as ti e poles are fixed, the necessity of using collector rings and of having the entire brush-holder ystem revolve with the poles,

in a general way the operation of the transmission is as l'ollows:.1 comparatively small storage battery, as the battery -125-, is usually provided tor the pur pose of tarting the en .e and, as heretofore 'ibed, any suitable controller is em ployed to make the necessz electrical. connections, as hereinafter oescribed.

In starting, the shaft is held by the usual emergency brake on the rear wheels. or otherwise, so that it annot reand the battery current is connected is obviated.

Volt? to now through iicld magnet system -4 and armature 59, the armature 59 being held stationary with the shatt The field magnetsystem -t8 begins to revolve. thus cranking the engine through the medium of shaft 91 and its connections. is soon as the prime mover runs under its own power. the slip between stS- and 59 causes an electromotive torce to be set up and by the ope 'ation of the controller -48. 59-, G7 and 7G are i ll el ctriaally connected so that the current generated, by the relative movement of and 59-- transmitted through W "T and -7G-- so that the shaft upon release of the brake is driven at a speed relativ ly low to that oi but with d torque.

Vari us cminections ot the controller. as licrcinaticr specifically described. provide a graded torque effect to meet any requirecuts between the conditions just described id those wherein the speed of -l8 and 1e shatt 35 are about equal, the torque 'arying inversely with the speed of the shatt lVhen the road resistance of a vehicle or the torque required has'become so reduced that the prime mover can carry the load directly (that is. as on hi gh gear with the ordim ry transmission), the controller is (A re; -4.

so arranged that the field magnet system --l8 and armature -5)- will be shortcircuited, as through respective commutator brushes, so that the current generated spends itself through land --:9-- in the production oi. a very intense magnetic licld which tends to carry the armature -5$ at about the same speed as the driven field magnet system -4, the only ditterence being the slip that is required to set up euouc h voltage to :ause suliicient current to pro .c this magnetic clutching ell'ect.

During the time (p 'actically all the time) that the controller is connected for high speed service, just meat ioned, armature 67 and field magnet system Tt' are connected to act as a generator for re-charging the sto 'age battery which may he used For starting, lighting, or any other service requiring electrical current of the character generated.

Any suitable controlier operated as desc 'ibed through the medium of a lever -ti may be provided for producing the circuits shown in Figures 5 to 1.1, Figure 5 indicating the reverse speed condition.

The field magnet system -l8 is not shown in these tie'ures as arevolving part provided with suitable brushes because it will be more clearly understood it this part is simply considered as a field magnet system.

v.he numbers -121- and 122 represent, respectively, aseries hiding and a shunt winding for the field magnet system 76*, and in connection with the shunt winding 1'22 third brush -123 is indicated.

This brush is used to regulate the amount of current that will be generated to charge the b2 ttery in Figure 11. the exact positi n or adjustment of this brusn being immaterial. Instead (it the third brush regulation, what is known as a bucking field, or any other system of regulation may be used to control the current generated.

124 represents a assistance coil which may or may not he used. the same being onitted in some of the figures: a storage battery 12:L- being indicated for starting the prime mover and adapted to be charged when the armature 6S and field magnet system T(i are operating as a generator.

Figure T indicates th connections tor starting the engine. it will he noted that the armature -59 with field magnet system l8- and resistance -a24- are in multiple with. the l'mitery. but it desired the connections could be changed so that the different elements would be in series. In this same position, the battery may be recharged without operating the car if desired. It will be noted that the armature 68 is not connected for any service.

Figure 8 shows the connections used tor ion starting the car very slowly from a standstill. It will be seen that armature 59-, field magnet system 48, armature 68-, and winding -l2l of field magnet system 76 are in series. It will also be seen that third brush 112 has a connection to one side ofthe field magnet systemet8-.

As described, the third brush 112 is adjustable as to its posit-ion on the commutator so that it may have a weakening or shunting effect on any current through the field magnet system -4;8-. Or, it may be so placed that it will have practically no effect.

For the position just mentioned, it has a weakening effect so that field magnet system -4.8 and armature 59-, considered as a generator, will generate a gradually increasing current which will have the effect of smoothly starting the motor comprising the armature -68 and field magnet system 76-. It will be noted that the bat-- tery is not in service.

Figure 9 shows connections for the slowest speed and greatest torque, the armatures -59 and -G8 with their series windings being connected in series. The third brush -112 is not shown as connected. The shunt winding -122- may be or may not be connected, as shown.

Figure 10 represents the connections for intermediate speeds. In this case, the connections are the same as in Figure 9, except that the third brush -112 is connected and so positioned as to have a weakening effect on the winding 121, thereby causing armature -68 to revolve at a higher speed, but with reduced torque. Any intermediate speed may be obtained by a suit-- able movement 0 brush -112, as the weakening effect referred to may be increased or diminished at will. In fact, the effect can be entirely neutralized if desired, as stated in reference to Figure 8.

Figure 11 shows the connections for high speed in which field magnet system -4l8- and armature -59 are short-circuited upon themselves. The third brush -112- disconnected. The shunt winding -122- and armature -68- are connected in multiple with the battery so that the latter may be charged. The series winding 12l may or may not be used.

Although I have shown and described one particular construction, form, relation of the parts, and one particular sequence of circuits as accomplishing perhaps in a preferred way the objects of this invention, yet it should be understood that I do not limit myself to any specific construction, form or relation of the parts, or to any specific sequence of specific circuits, as many and various changes may be made with reference to each of the same without departure from the scope of this invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A power transmission mechanism comprising a driving shaft having a spider rigidly associated therewith, a cylindrical shell secured to the spider and axially aligned with the driving shaft, a field magnet system mounted on said shell, a driven shaft extending axially of and within the shell and rotatably associated with the shell to prevent independent radial movement of either the shell or driving shaft, a frame having a portion telescoped outside the field magnet system, another portion mounted on said driven shaft for simultaneous rotation therewith, an armature carried by the portion telescoped with the field magnet system, said frame provided with a flange concentric with the driven shaft and carrying a second armature and a field magnet system for said armature.

2. Power transmission mechanism comprising a driving shaft having a radially extending flange, a magnet support secured to the flange and axially aligned with the driving shaft, a field magnet system mounted on said support, a pair of spaced bearings carried by said support, a driven shaft journaled in said bearings, an armature for said field magnet system rotating with the driven shaft and telescoped externally with the field magnet system, a second armature rotating with the driven shaft, and a field magnet for said armature.

3. Power transmission mechanism comprising a driving shaft, a support carried thereby, a field magnet system carried by the support, a driven shaft journaled in the support, a frame having a portion journaled on the driven shaft and locked thereto for simultaneous rotation, said frame having another portion telescoped externally with said support, an armature carried by the portion telescoped with the support, a second armature rotating with the driven shaft, and a field magnet for said armature.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of July, 1918.

ALBERT E. DOMAN. iVitnesses:

Amen M. CANNON, E. A. THOMPSON. 

